A YOUNG NATURALIST. 63 



" To the Coleoptera order, because they have four wings, the 

 largest of which, called elytra, are more or less hard, and justify 

 their name * by encasing the two other wings, which are mem- 

 branous and folded crosswise. The cockchafer, you know, is 

 one of this order.'' 



A fresh piece of bark revealed to us two scorpions with enor- 

 mous bellies, and heads so small as to be almost imperceptible ; 

 all they did was to stiffen out their tails, which are composed of 

 six divisions, the last terminating in an extremely slender barb. 



" Oh, what horrid creatures ! " cried Lucien, starting back ; 

 " if it wasn't for their light colour, you might take them for 

 prawns with their heads cut off." 



" Yes, if you didn't examine them too closely. I suppose you 

 will be very surprised when I tell you that they are allied to the 

 spider tribe." 



" I should never have suspected it. Are they dead, then, for 

 they do not move ? " 



" Insects belonging to this order are very slow and lazy in 

 their movements. They are found under most kinds of bark ; 

 therefore, I advise you to take care when searching through it." 



" Should I die if I were stung ? " 



" No, but it would cause a very painful swelling, which it 

 would be best to avoid." 



" I shall be afraid to meddle with the bark of trees, now." 



" Then, good-bye to your making a collection of insects. Pru- 

 dence is a very good quality, but you must not make it an 

 excuse for cowardice." 



Upon examining the insects more closely, I saw that one of the 

 scorpions, a female, was carrying three or four young ones on her 

 back. This sight much amused Lucien, especially when he saw 

 the animal begin to move slowly off with them. 



" Do you know, Chanito," said I'Encuerado, who had now joined 

 us, which showed that the cooking did not require his undivided 

 attention, " that when the mother of the young scorpions does 

 not supply them with food, they set to and devour her." 



" Is that true 1 " asked Lucien, with surprise. 



* Elytra is derived from a Greek word, tXirpov, a sheath. 



